Symbol Of Sovereignty: 8 Best Fleur De Lis Tattoo Designs

Minimal and elaborately detailed ink ideas to express yourself through this stylized symbol.

Reviewed by Eve Phillips, Professional Tattoo Artist Eve Phillips Eve PhillipsProfessional Tattoo Artist facebook_iconinsta_icon
Written by , MSc Manjari Uppal MSc linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Edited by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) Joyce Joyson MA (Mass Communication & Journalism) linkedin_icon
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Nobility, innocence, faith, resilience, hope – a fleur de lis tattoo encompasses it all. It is a symbol with a deep and rich history that can be traced back to ancient times. Over the years, it has been embraced by various sections of society, sometimes appearing on coats of arms, official flags, architectural installments, fabric prints, and many other places for various purposes. This makes it a dynamic symbol that may be stylized in multiple ways for an iconic piece of body art. If you are looking for some inspiration for your own fleur de lis tattoo design, we are here to help stir your creativity with some unique and clever ideas. Keep scrolling to check them out!

Meaning Of A Fleur De Lis Tattoo

Although the exact roots of the fleur de lis have not been established, instances of it appear in ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian archaeological sites. It was most notably adopted by the French. The shape of the fleur de lis is inspired by a lily flower, which represents the concept of purity or untainted innocence in Christianity. On this note, you may also explore various lily flower tattoos ideas, which are often chosen for their association with purity, renewal, and the divine. Now, back to the topic, due to the fleur de lis three-petal shape, it has also been connected to the concept of the holy trinity as well. That is why other religious practices have also embraced it as a symbol of faith, light, chastity, optimism, and rebirth. As this religious symbol came to be presented to royals during oath-taking and other significant ceremonies, it evolved into a representation of royalty, nobility, and authority. It appeared in royal flags, plaques, coats of arms, etc., and the knights bearing them associated it with honor, wisdom, duty, chivalry, and other such morals.

There are many ways to creatively present this symbol to add a personal touch to it. We offer some helpful and touching ideas in the next section. Check them out!

8 Best Fleur De Lis Tattoo Designs

The multidimensional fleur de lis symbol can be illustrated in a variety of ways to represent your beliefs and ideals. The following designs can help you get an idea of how you can incorporate it into a tattoo.

1. Minimalist Fleur De Lis Tattoo

A minimalist fleur de lis tattoo on the forearm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

This simple icon-style fleur de lis symbol is shaded in solid blackwork. The iconic lily shape is apparent through the sharp contours of the shape executed to perfection. You may opt for an outline or micro stamp-size fleur de lis for endearing minimal tattoos.

2. Girly Fleur De Lis Tattoo

A girly fleur de lis tattoo on the forearm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

What is girly, is subjective. However, you may take cues from certain stereotypes or popular trends to design a girly fleur de lis tattoo, like experimenting with soft colors and elegant line work. The tattoo above shows a fleur de lis illustrated into a stylized baroque-inspired floral motif. The three lily petals are exaggerated into multiples, in various states of unfurling to create a staggering pattern of flourish that is hard to look away from.

3. Fleur De Lis Flower Tattoo

A fleur de lis flower tattoo on the upper arm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Although a fleur de lis is itself a stylized flower, you may add a touch of freshness to it by incorporating some full-bloom petals of flowers of your choice. This traditional tattoo features an empty fleur de lis with golden highlights against a navy blue ornate background, flanked by a fiery orange-red flower with warm green leaves on either side. The color palette is lively, evoking warmth and uplifting the spirits.

4. Sportsman Fleur De Lis Tattoo

An upper arm sportsman fleur de lis tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

A sportsman fleur de lis emblem can be customized with icons and shapes that represent various sports. If you would rather not ruin the look of the symbol, take cues from the above design that features the fleur de lis as a focal piece at the top and various balls inked under it.

5. Fleur De Lis Finger Tattoo

A fleur de lis finger tattoo
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

The classic fleur de lis symbol can be tattooed in a micro shape to easily fit on a finger without compromising its defining features. A finger tattoo makes a bold statement as it is done on a highly visible placement, making it one of the first things people notice about you.

6. Fleur De Lis Wrist Tattoo

A fleur de lis tattoo on the wrist
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

An elegant rendition of the fleur de lis symbol can be placed on the wrist. This placement has thin, fragile skin that is more suitable for dainty tattoo strokes. The above tattoo shows a brocade-style fleur de lis gracing the inner wrist, serving as a mesmerizing little adornment of the hand.

7. Fleur De Lis Cross Tattoo

A fleur de lis cross tattoo on the arm
Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

You may express your belief in the Christian faith through a tattoo of a fleur de lis inked with the shape of a cross. This tattoo shows an artistically shaded fleur de lis that has a line passing vertically through it, extended into a minimal cross at the bottom to give it a religious edge.

8. New Orleans Fleur De Lis Tattoo

A New Orleans fleur de lis tattoo on the forearm
Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

The fleur de lis has a rich history of association with French royals. That is why New Orleans, a city founded by French colonialists, features the fleur de lis in its flag. During times of hardship, the golden fleur de lis has also become a symbol of the city’s optimistic worldview and resilience to build itself up, like when recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Therefore, many people choose to get this golden symbol inked on their arm.

A fleur de lis tattoo can mean more than just a cool design for the wearer, depending on their personal interests and beliefs. Although it is quite a simple symbol inspired by the physical features of the iris flower, it may be customized to tell a deeper story. It can also be paired with other elements like classic art-inspired patterns, floral designs, or even sports equipment to enhance its symbolism. You may also explore the idea of adding meaningful text in a gorgeous font to add to the glam quotient or layers of meaning attached to your tattoo.

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Eve Phillips
Eve PhillipsProfessional Tattoo Artist
Eve Phillips is an experienced artist in various tattoo styles, though she specializes in tattoos with fine details and floral elements. She has owned studios for 20 years in both Australia and the United Kingdom and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in all areas of tattoo art, health, licensing, trends, current issues, and history.

Read full bio of Eve Phillips
Manjari Uppal
Manjari Uppal Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Manjari is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over three years of experience in writing across different niches, including beauty, health, wellness, and technology. She first discovered her passion for writing in school and has since honed her craft to perfection.

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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Joyce Joyson
Joyce JoysonBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Joyce Joyson is a beauty and lifestyle writer with over a year of experience crafting short-form content for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle niches. She has a triple majors bachelor’s degree in History, Political Science, and Geography from IIS University and a master’s degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kristu Jayanti College.

Read full bio of Joyce Joyson